Heritage Elementary Third Graders Explore Katmai’s Fat Bears

Heritage Elementary third graders in Lisa Bristle’s class took a virtual trip to one of the wildest places in America—Katmai National Park in Alaska—thanks to a live ranger talk with Ranger Maura.

Getting to Katmai isn’t easy: there are no roads into the park. Visitors and rangers must arrive by floatplane or boat to an area called King Salmon, and bring their own supplies since there’s only one store—and it’s very expensive. The park is 4-million acres, and access is limited to a  place called Brooks Camp, and the Valley of 10,000 smokes, which is 23 miles of rough terrain. Students compared the park’s remoteness with life in Pickerington, sparking conversations about geography and community.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN IN “The students were so attentive as Ranger Maura described life in Katmai and how everything from salmon to bears to trees is connected in this amazing ecosystem.”  

Ranger Maura guided students through Katmai’s fascinating history, from the 1912 Novarupta eruption (one of the largest volcanic eruptions in modern history) to the annual salmon runs that sustain wildlife and people alike. Students learned how brown bears are keystone species, shaping the entire ecosystem, and how food webs—from salmon to bears to trees—keep nature in balance.

The class was amazed by bear facts:

• Cubs grow from 1 pound at birth to 70 pounds within months.
   
• Bears eat mainly salmon heads, skin, and eggs—the fattiest parts—to prepare for hibernation.
   
• Hibernation lasts until April, and mother bears don’t have cubs every year.
   
• Katmai is also home to wolves, moose, otters, caribou, porcupines, eagles, and even a mischievous red squirrel that may be “planting” mushrooms under a cabin.

Students laughed when Ranger Maura introduced Flotato, a fan-favorite bear, and cheered when they learned about Chunk (Bear 32)—this year’s Fat Bear Week champion who finally won the title after narrowly coming in second for several years.

This ranger-led session wasn’t just exciting—it directly aligned with classroom learning:

• Science: Bears as keystone species connected to Wit & Wisdom’s current module on sharks, another keystone predator.
   
• Literacy: Students practiced inquiry skills by preparing thoughtful questions for Ranger Maura.
   
• Geography: Students compared Katmai’s remote wilderness to Pickerington, strengthening map and place-based learning.

Ranger Q&A with Heritage 3rd Graders

• Hudson asked: How do you get to work?
  Ranger Maura: “By floatplane or boat—once at Brooks Camp, we’re champion walkers!”
   
• Gemma asked: How many other park rangers do you know?
  Ranger Maura: “The Park Service is big but feels small—you often work with the same people in new places.”
   
• Jack asked: What other animals live in Katmai?
  Ranger Maura: “Moose, otters, wolves, caribou, eagles, and one very busy red squirrel!”
   
• Maggie asked: Why do salmon swim upstream?
  Ranger Maura: “It’s their life cycle—they hatch in rivers, go to the ocean, then return to spawn.”
   
• Dominic asked: Do you have a picture of Horse Face?
  Ranger Maura: “Not yet—but watch the live cams! And don’t forget fan-favorite Flotato.”

By the end, students weren’t just cheering for their favorite Fat Bear named “Flotato”—they were making meaningful connections between classroom learning and the wider world.

CLICK HERE: To watch the world-famous Katmai Bear Cams

CLICK HERE: To watch LIVE and check out the Brown Bear Cam at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. 

You never know what you might see.